COACH GUNN'S HIKE TRAINING PROGRAM

FIRE UP!

Coach Ron Gunn is a retired college track coach following his passion to lead ordinary people to experience the extraordinary.  He was a college quarterback and an avid runner including 5 marathons under 3 hours.  

He had a winning track program at SMC, he created one of the first Extreme Sports programs and had a successful adult training program.  100's of Michiana area adults became runners and have ran a marathon after his training.  Now he's training hikers for adventure travel experiences.  100's of Cairn Stone alumni have completed extreme hikes in spectacular locations worldwide, most are repeat travelers.  

He is your personal coach 

and will be  your travel guide.  

This program includes preparing some for a marathon-like hike.  Not everyone wants to be an extreme hiker.  Most will set a moderate goal and thoroughly enjoy our hiking tours.

All the training and every travel itinerary includes hikes for every ability.  

Novice hikers will find this to be a  helpful and rewarding program.  A lecture before every bi-weekly hike builds your knowledge base of techniques and skills needed 

for safe backcountry hiking while the progressively longer hikes 

build your fitness level.  

The training program includes personal coaching from Ron Gunn.  Look to him as you personal trainer.  He can advise you from a long career as a successful coach to athletes of all abilities.

Two ways to join:  Join a Travel Team (Utah) or as a Training Partner.

This eight month hike training program was modeled after Ron Gunn and Hal Higdon's very successful progressive overload marathon training program.  

Fine tuned for over a decade it is now a proven system for extreme hike training. (extreme hikes are 8 hours or more and can be marathon distances.)

Each major trip has a core hiking challenge (such as Grand Canyon Rim to Rim) that a select few will take on.  Extreme hike candidates must prove they are ready at two Test Hikes before taking an extreme hike.

Most of our travelers are moderate hikers with moderate goals.  They will not be disappointed as the majority of hikes at destination are moderate. (moderate hikes take 4 hours or less)

(PAY FEE ONLINE)

There are two training teams each year; one training to travel and the other not traveling.  It is a training program, not a hiking club.  

Do I need to register as a Training Partner?

Are you on the Utah team?  Yes, then no.

No, then yes you must register as a Training Partner.

Who must pay the annual training fee?

Training Partners pay the training fee.  The fee is waived for travel teams.

What are the travel teams?

2021 Best of Utah Parks

2022 Best of the West; Grand Canyon XII

2023 Scotland; Best of the Highlands II

Training Partner annual fee is $100.

Our Training Partners enjoy the same 

training program and hiking courses as our travel team members.  

Training Partners join for their own goals.  Some for general fitness.  Some love to hike or want to learn.  Others have their own hiking destinations planned.  

All team members enjoy biweekly hikes on a variety of interesting venues.  After snow is gone all our hikes are on trails in wooded or rustic areas.  

All team members will have access to the proprietary training information on this website (password may be required to open some documents).

TEST HIKE 1

(Optional for most, mandatory for extreme hike candidates.)

This mid-season Hike is your first opportunity to prove your fitness level  both to yourself and to your coach.  The course location and distance may vary year to year.  The courses are selected for the current year's extreme hike goals.  Some extreme hikes are tougher than others and some are in remote wilderness with no easy rescue-you must be well prepared.  Your successful completion of this Test Hike means your training is on track.  This Test Hike is often a wake up call to work harder to be ready for the final Test Hike in the Fall.

ALSO A POPULAR DESTINATION HIKE for team members and visitors

TEST HIKE 2

 (Optional for most, mandatory for extreme hike candidates.) 

EXTREME HIKE CANDIDATES:  Your goal is to hike the max distance at each training hike.  The progressive overload schedule runs from 7 miles to 22 miles.  Your average pace should be 20 min or less.  Make adjustments as needed and you can expect to have a successful Test Hike.  This is not for everyone, but for those that want this challenge.  It's one marathon-like hike during a 9 day tour.  You can enjoy every other hike option on the trip with half-marathon level training.

Your skills and fitness level will be challenged; rehydration, electrolyte and carbohydrate supplementation, body temp regulation, tempo, and hiking techniques.  Coach Gunn knows how to prepare you well.  You will know you are ready, or not, after this Test Hike.

 ALSO A POPULAR DESTINATION HIKE for team members and visitors